Disability Rights Arkansas

Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

*Photos taken by DRA staff during onsite monitoring visits. Photos reflect the most recent conditions observed by DRA staff but may not reflect the current conditions at the facility. If you are associated with a facility and have updated information or photos you would like to share, please contact DRA at [email protected]

Location: Springdale, AR                   Population Served: Adolescent girls ages 7-17

# of residents per unit: Up to 12 Residents per room: 2 Capacity: 32

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Weekly calls up to 3x/week for 10 minutes, intervention call available 1x/week for 10 minutes. Visitation available 2x/week for 30 minutes if previously scheduled. Zoom available if in person is not possible.

Restraint utilized? Yes Chemical Restraint utilized? Yes Seclusion utilized? Yes 

Treatment Components:

Clinical Director: LCSW                    Therapists: 2 full-time therapists (1 LMSW, 1 LAC)

Treatment modalities offered: Facility declined to identify any specific modalities available.

# of individual therapy sessions/week: Varies by client, most clients receive one individual therapy session per month

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: 3

 

DRA Monitoring/Investigations

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PRLU or OLTC

Arrest, Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Visit Compliance Report

  • Self-harm, Arrest
    • Client tied a hair tie around their hand in attempt to cut off circulation. Staff removed hair tie and client was placed on a safety plan. Client then tried to tie a shirt around their neck; Staff intervened and removed the shirt. Client then became physically and verbally aggressive with staff and was placed in a restraint. Due to continued aggression while in containment, police were called, and charges filed. The client was transported to JDC.
    • Licensing follow-up: Facility cited 110.17 for late reporting.

Police Report

Assault, Battery

Caller (staff) stated she would like to press charges due to her being assaulted by juvenile. Caller stated juvenile was being violent with a staff member and when she went to assist, juvenile grabbed a chunk of her hair and pulled it out. Police responded to scene. Juvenile was transported to JDC.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client informed RN that they self-harmed with a sharp piece of plastic found under a bed. Bilateral superficial cuts noted on arms and thighs. No first aid needed. The client turned in contraband to RN and was placed on a 7-day self-harm precaution safety plan with increased line of sight. No follow-up details.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Staff Attacked, Suicide Attempt

  • Suicidal Attempt & Staff Attacked
    • Client became aggressive with staff due to not having markers. The client was separated from staff and residents and placed in the calming room. While in the calming room, the client removed their shirt and another item and attempted to tie both around their neck. Staff removed both objects from client’s neck and offered a paper top to client, but client refused.
    • Licensing follow-up: 1 to 5 ratio, bruises noted on staff, no medical intervention required.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client was in their room with contraband, attempting to self-harm. Client had superficial cuts to forearm but was uninjured. Client was placed on a 7-day self-harm precaution.
    • Licensing follow-up on 7/22/22: Inquired about contraband, self-harm precaution, and incident report. Self-harm precautions explained.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Licensing visit conducted from 12:10 – 13:55 with Program Coordinator Chelsea Vardell. Licensing viewed all 4 units where residents are housed, the seclusion rooms, and the restroom by the seclusion room. MARs viewed for multiple residents. Licensing discussed the new changes in staff with facility management:
    • The current interim CEO/Clinical Director will be leaving at the end of the week, and a new CEO will be selected soon.
    • A new assistant Director of Nursing will begin next week.
    • The new Clinical Director will be an in-house promotion of a current therapist and a new therapist will begin next week.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 9.911.15.f – Areas used by children shall be designed, constructed, and furnished to reduce risk of suicide and assault.
    • 9.912.4 – The bathroom shall be clean and sanitary.
  • TA –
    • 9.910.1 – The grounds of the facility shall be kept clean and free of safety hazards.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt

  • Suicidal Attempt
    • Client wrote “I want to die” in their journal and per staff, reported suicidal thoughts. Client took a sweatshirt and attempted to tie it around their neck; Staff were able to remove the sweatshirt with no injury. Client was taken off the unit to process one on one with staff, and was placed on self-harm precaution.
    • Licensing follow-up on 7/22/22: Emailed regarding self-harm precaution.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Not listed.
  • Buildings & grounds conducted; Census: 24. Areas observed: Green Hall and Orange Hall. Staff/client ratio for both was 1:8. MARs checked for multiple residents. No licensing concerns noted during visit.

Police Report

Hang Up

911 Hang up; Dispatch received no answer on call back, but later spoke to staff. Police not needed.

PRLU or OLTC

Corrective Action Agreement

  • The following non-compliance areas have been cited during the past six months:
    • 103.8 Central Registry and Criminal Records Checks – Facility received citations on 12/14/21 regarding the staff Central Registry and Criminal Record Checks.
    • 103.11 Central Registry and Criminal Records Checks – Facility received a citation on 6/9/22 regarding staff allowing staff to work with prohibited charges.
    • 910.1 Grounds – Facility received citations on 6/3/22 regarding facility grounds.
    • 911.6 Buildings – Facility received citations during 6 visits regarding facility buildings.
    • 911.15.f Buildings – Facility received citation on 3/1/22 regarding facility buildings.
    • 912.4 Bathrooms – Facility received citations during 4 visits regarding the conditions of the residents’ bathrooms.
    • 907.2 Ratio and Supervision – Facility received citations during 2 visits regarding ratio and supervision concerns.
    • 907.3 Ratio and Supervision – Facility received citations during 2 visits regarding ratio and supervision concerns.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Maltreatment
    • Client reported that a staff member “crossed boundaries” after they grabbed and touched client’s butt. The touching happened above client’s clothing. The alleged staff member was sent home on leave until the investigation is complete.
      • Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted; Outcome of investigation: True. Video footage corroborated the resident’s claims. The staff member involved was placed on the Child Maltreatment Central Registry.
      • Further review of the event revealed that the staff member was issued an ineligible to work status from the DHS regulatory unit on 3/30/22 and this was communicated to the facility. The staff member continued to work giving him direct and unsupervised contact with residents. Facility cited 103.11 (facility allowed staff to continue working) and 109.1.g (staff engaged in behavior that could be viewed as sexual in nature with resident).

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Maltreatment
    • Client reported to nursing staff that a staff member “crossed boundaries” with her when he grabbed and touched her butt. Facility staff reviewed camera footage which corroborated the allegation. Alleged staff member was sent home.
    • Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted. Licensing follow-up: On 6/8/22, Licensing requested all documentation or correspondence regarding client’s regulatory checks. On 6/9/22, Licensing reviewed camera footage during an on-site visit. Camera review showed staff did act in an unprofessional manner when he engaged in behavior that can be viewed as sexual with a resident. Additionally, staff was given an ineligible to work status in March of 2022 by Licensing, but the facility allowed him to continue working directly and unsupervised with residents.
    • Outcome of investigation: True.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Chelsea Vardell.
  • Facility visited from 12:30 – 15:15. One unit was closed due to the sprinkler flooding the unit. Licensing discussed the progress of the shower pans being replaced on the units. The maintenance staff reported that the second bid was placed on the installation of the shower pans today and that he must wait for a third bid to be placed. Once the third bid is placed, the building owner will pay to have the shower pans repaired. Licensing discussed ensuring that any showers with tile breakage not be used by residents until they can be repaired. Maintenance stated they will need an additional 30 days for repairs to be made as the original compliance date given for repairs was 6/8/22.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • R907.3 – A unit was seen out of ratio (14:2). Staff reported only 2 staff were scheduled, but that they also have a floater that goes back and forth between 2 units. Licensing spoke with the CEO of the ratio concern and an additional staff was brought in from another unit. Due date and correction date: 6/3/22.
    • R910.1 – Dayrooms and bedrooms were seen with multiple snack and candy wrappers on the floor. The CEO stated the direct care staff are supposed to ensure that residents are cleaning their rooms each morning and afternoon. CEO reported he will follow up and ensure this is completed. Due date: 6/3/22.
    • R913.5 – Bed cover in room 301 had multiple blood stains. Staff working stated the resident had some kind of incident that morning. Licensing requested the bed cover be replaced with clean sheets and cover. Due date: 6/3/22.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint, Licensing Follow Up, Notice of Incident

  • Licensing (Complaint)
    • Licensing received an emailed report on 10/25/22 regarding the events that took place among residents and staff during a large-scale incident that took place on 06/02/22.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing reviewed information provided and researched documentation of licensing responding to this incident on 6/3/22. Assistant Director, Program Manager, Program Coordinator, and Licensing Specialist spoke to facility management team and discussed apparent issues with boundaries among staff with residents and licensing requested all staff be re-trained. Additionally, Licensing requested that staff member be re-trained on how/when it is appropriate to initiate a restraint hold and reminded the facility that restraint holds cannot be initiated to gain compliance of a resident; Facility terminated this staff member as of 10/25/22. On 11/23/22, the CEO reported that all staff have completed boundary training except for 3 PRN staff members; These staff members will not be able to work until they have completed the training.

Police Report

Assault

Caller advised juveniles were attacking staff and destroying things, and one had a shank. Upon officers arrival, officers detained multiple juveniles who were aggressive with staff and officers. At one point, a juvenile went over to a peer who was handcuffed and on her stomach, and began to push down on her back; Officer: “The staff member made no effort to prevent this.” Staff informed officer that juveniles had broken a window and obtained a piece of glass they used to injure staff. During this, residents in a secure location set off the emergency sprinkler system and multiple juveniles rushed out the door into the area with officers. Juveniles began attacking staff and attempted to escape the facility. Once officers were able to gain control of the riot and juveniles were in handcuffs, officers transported 5 juveniles to JDC.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Arrest (1)
    • Client was aggressive and assaulted an RN. Client then obtained a shank from another resident and used it to injure 2 RNs. Staff attempted to redirect and restrain client.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: Visited facility and reviewed the camera footage of the incident.
    • Staff were attempting to de-escalate the client, then attempted to restrain the client. Client was not cooperative, so was taken into police custody and placed in the Juvenile Detention Center.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Arrest (3)
    • Client was hitting staff and broke off a piece of the exit sign, then attempted to injure staff with the shank she was using from the exit sign. Staff restrained client, and client then put the shank in her mouth and spit it to a peer. Client was then placed in handcuffs and taken into custody.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: Visited facility and reviewed the camera footage of the incident.
    • Staff restrained the client due to violent behavior, but the client continued to attempt to fight staff. Client was placed under arrest by police and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Arrest (2)
    • Client was defiant and not following directions after the fire alarm was set off by a peer. Client began punching police officers on scene. Client was arrested and taken to JDC. Staff attempted to intervene while client was attacking police officers but was hit by client.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: Visited facility and reviewed the camera footage of the incident.
    • Client was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center due to assaulting officers.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Arrest (4)
    • Client broke the door window on the blue unit, climbed onto furniture, and broke the sprinkler. The fire alarm went off and the resident attempted to elope from the facility after the doors unlocked. Staff stayed with the resident and attempted to redirect her outside the facility. The resident never left facility grounds.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: Visited facility and reviewed the camera footage of the incident.
    • Staff attempted to redirect, but the client was uncooperative. Client stayed in sight of the staff when attempting to elope, but client did not leave facility grounds. After the client became violent with staff and police officers, client was placed under arrest and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Arrest (5)
    • Client was aggressive with staff, attempting to break a window on the blue unit, then climbed on furniture to break the sprinkler. The fire alarm was set off and the resident attempted to elope, but staff maintained visual on her in the yard outside the facility. The client was aggressive towards staff and police, so she was arrested.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: Visited facility and reviewed the camera footage of the incident.
    • Staff were attempting to redirect, but the client was uncooperative. Staff maintained visual on client as they attempted to elope. The client was taken into police custody and to the Juvenile Detention Center after assaulting officers.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • ER Visit (Possible Seizure)
    • Staff reported they saw client in the hallway when she began shaking. Client’s eyes rolled back, and she fell onto the floor striking the back of her head. EMS was called and transported client to the ER.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: Client was seen at the ER and medically cleared to return.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • ER Visit (Self-inflicted Injury)
    • Client stated she inserted a piece of metal into her stitched wound on her hand. Staff then observed client insert another piece of metal quickly into the wound before staff could stop her. Client was taken to ER.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: It was determined where the metal came from, and the object was removed from the unit. The client’s wound was cleaned and bandaged at the hospital and the client returned to the facility.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • ER Visit (Sprayed by Sprinkler)
    • Client was sprayed in the face by the sprinkler system after a peer broke the sprinkler, setting off the alarm. Client reported that when she was sprayed, she passed out onto the floor. Client was taken to ER.
    • Licensing follow-up on 6/3/22: Client was seen at the ER and medically cleared to return.

Police Report

Assault

Caller advised juvenile was assaulting staff members. Upon officers arrival, juvenile was yelling as staff members were restraining her. Officer asked staff to release juvenile, and juvenile advised she became upset after smelling smoke and reporting it to staff, who would not listen. Staff reported they could not smell the smoke, and restrained juvenile after she attempted to jump into the nurse’s station. Two staff advised juvenile kicked/punched them.